Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-21
CONSECRATED ANEW.
CENTRAL METHODIST CHURCH. MAN.
cHEsrxR, REDEDIcATED.
Three Exceedingly Interesting Services
The streetPaving Ordinance Hust-
ings Court-Personal. &C.

II
| Wilson, of Baltimore, followed by the
formal dedicatory exercises; union sun
| day.schoo meeting i'm the afternoon, and
| sermon by the pastor, Rev. William ii.
| Christian, at night.
| The day was the hottest yet experienced
| this year; nevertheless the attendance at
each service was large, and at the morning
| one every seat in the building-audience-
| room and 0alIery-was occupied, nOtwith
| standing the fact that additional ones bad
| been provided in the space around tue
| chance.
OPENING SERVICES.
| The service at IL O'Clock was opened
with appropriate music by the choir under
| the direction OF Mrs. A. &. Harding, the
| new organist OF the church. Mr.. George
+. Richardson, OF the Bainbridge-Street
BAPTIST church, presided at the organ, and
Mr.. G. A. Fahr greatly added to the mu.
sic by PLAYING on the eornet. On stand
on either side OF the pulpit stand was
bouquet OF pretty flowers and Just
in IS front was an exquisite flJral
design, with a calla-lily in its centre.
| Bishop Wilson, who was TO preach the
dedicatory sermon, occupied 4 seat in the
pulpit With Rev. William II. Christian,
pastor Of the church, 10 his left. Reys. j.
w. Howell, OF Princeton. \. j., George
w. Wiley. and James W. Reynolds and
J several laymen occupied seats inside the
chancel.
TIE Bishop IN his Introductory prayer
] returned thanks to God for the prosperity
that has attended this church, and earnestly
invoked His continued blessings and prayed
that mutitudes far exceeding those OF the
past may here be brought to saving
| - kof S,rI onH -aVionr .IQsIIs
Christ.
THE BISHOPS SERMON.
Mr.. Christian IN graceful terms pre-
sented Rev. Alpheus ". Wilson. one OF
the Bishops oi the Methodist Episcopal
| Church, South. who was TO preach the SER
mon Of rededCaton. The sermon was
ole Of power and excellence presenta-
ton OF most important truths. His text
was taken from the eighth verse OF the first
chapter OF Acts and his subject was
Power from the Holy Ghost" The Dis
clples bad this power. Until they received
it they bad been timid and fearful, but
after their baptism with the Holy Ghost
they had been brave and fearless In the
dlSChPrge Of their duty. They were heroic
for the cause OF the truth. They did not
think Of consequences, but planted them
selves upon tue platform oil the doctrines
OF Christ as the RedCeTer OF the world and
the resurrection. and they went forth to
revOlutionze the customs and tue systems
Of The world. And they did it,
They inauCurated plans that have lifted
humanity up to the lOf,iest planes OF exist
ence. True, the disciples were plain men,.
Many oi them were Galllean fishermen,
and without human advantages and the
| - Ia cnboplz hYt ~ hon fhpv had
learned under the tuition OF the DIVINE
instructor and received power from on
high they conceived and executed system
Of truth which has been the great cOnserya-
tive element Of society from that day To the
present. They went beyond themselves
and wrought that which in their natural
condition they were not adequate to. The
Gospel speaks trumpet-tOngued OF the
divine inspiration OF its human authors.
Again, he said, man was made for this
spiritual power. Nothing else meets fully
the demands Of his nature. The material
world is grand. II calls forth the intollec-
tual resources OF the race /; but after the
heavens have been measured and the stars
have been numbered and weighed, still
mans spiritual nature needs spiritual
power, spiritual food, aud cannot be happy
without il. This power IS needed by ne
Church. II cannot afford TO dispense with
il, II is Eceded that we become witnesses
for Christ. We must testify about religion
from personal experience, and not from
mere heresay. And this Divine power not
only prepares man for life but Tor Death. IL
stands the test Of the seyerest trial.
| The sermon. In the delivery Of which just
one hour was consumed, was perfect gem
and the congregation paid the Strcte't at.
tentiOn. There was not sound 10 be heard
other than the ruStling Of fans. which was
made necessary by the intense heat. This
J DISTINGUISHED divine had never preached in
this city before and those who heard him
were very much pleased.
After the sermon Rev. Mr.. Howell oAar-
ed a teryent prayer.
HANDSOME COLLECTION.
At The close Of the sermon Mr. Christian
stated that the repairs to the church cost
$4,000. only about 5000 OF which remained
uncohtributed. lie then in fitting terms
appeaed 10 his hearers, members OF ms
and other churches, to give literally to-
wards plyng off the remaining obligation.
and in the name OF the Building Commit
tee asked for $500. The speaker was very
clOqucnt in his tribute to tie sons and
daughters Of toll who had contributed 80
nobly and literally OF their labor and means
towards the cost incurred IN the repairs.
He also returned thanks to his friends Of
| other denominations who had come 10 help
at the needed time. The first contribution
was made by a liberal Baptist, who offered
10 give again II it was needed. While
Misses Herse and Lumpkin aud Mes,rS.
Lumpkin and Richardson sung quirtctte
collection was taken up amounting 10
$3.50 -.
The formal dedicltOry services followed.
Mr.. j. Il. Perdue, the recording steward,
| presented the building to the Bishop to be
| set apart from all unhalowed purposes and
| to be devoted to the worshiOOf God. The
Bishop offered prayer aud read the dedlca'
torv service from the church manual; after
| which the doxologv was sung and the bene-
dicton pronounced.
METHODIST sUNDAY.sCHOOL SOCIETY.
The regular monthly meeting Of the Me-
thodist Sunday-School Society OF Ricn-
mond and Manchester WAS held at Gen.
tral church at O'Clock in the afternoon -
A. l.. West, president; Charles p. Rady'
secretary.
The meeting was opened with prayer by
Rev. j. Powell Garland aud singing By tue
school.
MIR. j. r. Perdue, the superintendent nj
Central school, made report OF the con
dtion OF the school. The school Is doing
a good work. and during the past mont
there has been steady increase in the rol
OF the school. With the increased accom-
modstlons there will doubtless be furthrl
increase in membership.
The meeting was addressed by Professor
W. W. Smith, president Of R'ndolph
Macon College subject. Glove The Fnl
filment of the Law" This is the children
age. Books and papers are published, ans
large and varied arrangements made K
educate the children. Why IS thiss Be
cause Jesus has called them to Him, ana
The Church and the world recognizes thf
, future of childhood. Children are callet
TO give their hearts 10 God, TO love HiG
supremely. and thus fulfil all the law. It'd,
| address was an excellent one and well Al
culated to make deep and lasting impres
siOns on all who beard IL.
The superintendents' reports for ID
month OF Nav show that all the schools ar
doing good work and increasing in mem
bership. A number OF conversions wer'
reported in several OF the schools.
The following announcements wer
. made: Board meeting at Br0ao'Stree
church next Sunday afternoon; specn
meeting OF the Society at Trinity-M
| - tho nrst SIN